[Ansteorra] Fall Ball Thank You's And Lost & Found

[Colleen Fisher]

Greetings Ansteorra,

It is my pleasure to report for all to hear that this weekend, the Shire of
the Shadowlands once again held a fantastic Fall Ball. The theme for this
year, Bakers' Bransle was cooked up by several members, Mistress Kaitlyn,
Lady Isolde, Lord Orin, Lady Catan, and Lord Ron to name a few, but the
hall truly came alive with the theme under the vision of Mistress Kaitlyn
and Lady Kolfinna, who headed decoration creation and placement in turn. It
was truly the work of the entire Shire who helped both assemble and remove
everything in the hall.

Thanks also goes to Lady Isabelot and Lady Isolde for their efforts in the
kitchen to organize feast and provide a few tasty treats as the result of
their classes. As this year we once again featured a Pot Luck Feast, the
cooks were too many to count while the variety of the spread and the food
itself were wonderful. Other classes were also held that day, Thanks to
Lord Thomas Atte Wood for teaching calligraphy and Lady Anne for bringing
her Herbalist Guild to share with all in attendance.

Fighting was larger this year than many had previously seen on the
Chivalric field with 9 enterants into a tournament, won by Don Thorland
O'Shea, and several more in attendance for a fantastic War Practice led by
both Sir Ysfael and Sir Randall, with many more lending their aid. Thanks
to all the fighters coming out and visiting our little event, I hope you
were able to take away not only some fun and fighting, but maybe a little
lesson to take to the field of battle.

Rapier fighters in attendance we treated to a tournament led by Don Conner
with John Drake winning the prize for most ribbons collected while Lord
Deideric for having the most matching ribbon sets and the most inventive
parry device, a rather large rolling pin.

Dancing is one of the favorite parts of the Ball, thanks go to Lord
Llywelyn for organizing the dances and heading the dance refresher with
Thomas Atte Wood. This year's Bransle-off champion was found to be Lord
Antonello who was able to keep his footing during the fierce competition.

For those who did not know, our site cost more than we originally expected,
but with the high attendance, gifts of generosity from attendees, and
Baroness Kathri's fabric sale "Cook up new garb! Raise dough for ball
bill!" we were able to cover the cost.

If you believe you left something behind, please contact Kite (
collateral.cepheid at gmail.com). A few items were left without owners at the
end of the night including some new pieces of fabric.

Thanks once again for those who made this year's Fall Ball a memorable
event and a joy to attend.
-Kite the Damaged and Caitlin La Bouche (grateful, if tired, autocrats)